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The internet is vital to our economy; 82 per cent of jobs in the UK now require digital skills, according to the Digital Poverty Alliance. But research conducted by Virgin Media O2 Business
found that more than a third of people have been unable to complete simple tasks – such as book a GP appointment – online in the last year, while a third say that a lack of digital skills
has held back their earning potential. Limited access to connectivity, digital devices and skills are restricting people and negatively impacting their employability, health and ability to
stay in touch with loved ones. This is called “digital exclusion” – and businesses and the public sector can play a key role in helping to tackle it. In this special episode sponsored by
Virgin Media O2 Business, a leading telecoms company providing organisations of all sizes with digital connectivity, we speak with charity and business leaders about the crucial role
partnership can play in closing the digital divide by helping local communities get connected. The journalist Jon Bernstein was joined by Martin McFadyen, head of public sector at Virgin
Media O2 Business; Emma Stone, director of evidence and engagement at the Good Things Foundation; Emma Weston, chief executive at Digital Unite; and Holly Smith, creative partner at the
environmental charity, Hubbub. The podcast explored how collaboration between telecoms providers, local government and the third sector is crucial to enable more people to become digitally
included. Schemes such as tech donation programmes for disadvantaged people and skills workshops were discussed as ways to boost digital literacy and connectivity, while also enabling
businesses to work towards their ever-important environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Participants explored the environmental, as well as social, benefits of digitalisation, and
how an inclusive shift to digital services can significantly help to decarbonise the public sector. The group also discussed how closing the digital divide could be of long-term benefit to
businesses themselves, beyond meeting their ESG goals – such as through giving them access to wider talent pools in future, and creating a greater level of digital literacy among the UK
workforce. Listen to the podcast in full above or on the _Spotlight on Policy_ podcast channel. READ VIRGIN MEDIA O2 BUSINESS’S SPOTLIGHT ON ESG REPORT HERE. Topics in this article :
Cost-of-living crisis , Internet , pwfree , Sponsored , Sponsored podcast